Donald Trump Jr. defended his father Thursday from complaints made by Democratic vice-presidential nominee Tim Kaine and others that he did not stand firm against Mexican President Enrique Peña Nieto on the issue of who would pay to build a wall at the United States' southern border.
"That is ridiculous," the GOP nominee's son told Fox News' "America's Newsroom" program. "It has no credence. Anyone who knows anything about a deal or negotiation, you build a relationship first. You don't go with the hardest line aspect of a thing on day one."
Trump has been very clear on his plan for a southern border wall, his son told Fox News.
"We never backed away from that ... there is legal way to make it happen that would certainly make financial sense," said Trump. "That may not be the way it happens."
But if Kaine or Democratic nominee Hillary Clinton had ever done a "good deal in their lives, if they had ever done anything in business, ever experienced the real world instead of politicians talking in theory without any actual practice, maybe he would know that," the younger Trump said.
Neither person, though, has built anything or created a job, but instead they deal in "soundbites."
He said his father, in comparison, has created jobs in the "real world where real people's lives, their families, livelihoods, and well-beings depend on him. Trust me, he knows how to set up a negotiation and start a deal."
Trump also denied his father is against immigration, despite his tough stance.
"I'm the son of an immigrant," Trump said, "He is the son of an immigrant."
But there has to be a process for legalization, he said.
"I am fortunate to travel the whole country with him as of late," Trump said. "People come up to me who are immigrants ... they're proud that they went through that process. They're proud of this country. I mean almost part of the assimilation we've been talking about, people have to feel a vested interest in the country."
Meanwhile, he said he was not surprised his father traveled to meet with the Mexican president, as he is "not afraid of anything."
"He will speak his mind as he has and speaking his mind for 18 months to the American people," said Trump. "He brought up all things other politicians would hide from ... he will do what is right for America and our grandkids and kids behind them because that's who he is."
The GOP nominee will speak in Detroit this weekend with members of the African-American community, and his son said he has been having discussions, not lectures with people all over the country.
"I think he is going to point out some basic facts," said Trump. "Look what liberal policies have done to the African-American community and Latin community, frankly, immigration being one of them. It has been frankly disastrous for them."
Sandy Fitzgerald ✉
Sandy Fitzgerald has more than three decades in journalism and serves as a general assignment writer for Newsmax covering news, media, and politics.
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